Heat exchange apparatus and support therefor



B. G. NEWHALL Nov. 25, 1952 I HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS AND SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed Feb. 24, 1947 INVENYZR. U 22 3g i Bc ygmz/a GA/Yaw a.

Nov. 25, 1952 NEWHALL 2,6191329 HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS AND SUPPORT THEREFQR Filed Feb. 24, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Ba ry' and Gym/m zz Nov. 25, 1952 a. e. NEWHALL 2,619,3 9

HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS" AND SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed Feb. 24, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet s IN V EN TOR.

Patented Nov. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS AND SUPPORT THEREFOR DeL, a corporation Application February 24, 1947, Serial N 0. 730,640

4 Claims.

ing of the device and for the ready removal of l the plate-like elements for inspection or replacement thereof.

This invention is particularly Well adapted for use in connection with a plate type heat exchanger of the class commonly used in the processing of milk and like foods and similar products. The preferred embodiment of this invention will, therefore, be described, without, however, being limited thereto, in connection with the adaptation thereof in a sanitarily designed plate type heat exchanger of the class used in dairies for the heat treatment of milk and other dairy products.

Plate type heat exchangers commercially used in dairies are preferably made of stainless metals which adds appreciably to the cost and usefulness of the device. Attainment of satisfactory heat exchange efficiency between the heat exchange media requires the use of relatively thin metal in the plate-like elements and the operation of the device under reasonably rapid flow conditions and associated reasonably high pressures within the heat exchange media. Sanitary processing of food products requires the frequent inspection and cleaning of the individual plates and other elements of the device which come into contact with the food being processed.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide a new and novel arrangement for a plate type heat exchanger or like device; in which the plate-like elements are slidably supported on and lockedto the supporting frame; in which the individual plate-like elements when in operative position are supported upon a main support element; in which the individual platelike elements may readily be moved from operative position to a position in which they may easily be inspected or cleaned and in which they are supported independently of other plate-like elements upon a main support and stabilized against excessive lateral and transverse tilting by stabilizing or auxiliary supports; and in which the plate-like elements may easily be removed from the press or frame for further inspection, cleaning and replacement; and in which plate- 2 like elements may easily be replaced and reinserted into the press and arranged into operative position.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be pointed out and more fully described in the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an improved plate-like element for a plate type heat exchanger embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure l of the drawings.

Figures 3 and 4 are explanatory views illustrating the procedure to be followed in removing plate-like elements from a press or frame of a plate type heat exchanger embodying the present invention.

Figure 5 is a side view of a plate type heat exchanger embodying the present invention, in which the plate-like elements and compression elements are assembled into the supporting framework.

Referring to the drawings, in which like elements are identified by like numerals, l0 and H represent the vertical risers or base elements of the plate heat exchanger frame or press, which includes a transverse and horizontally disposed support rod :2, auxiliary stabilizing and support rod 13, and auxiliary support and stabilizing rod l4, all securely fixed together to form a rigid frame.

A suitable number of plates or plate-like elements, generally identified by the numeral it", when in operative position are supported upon the support rod 12 in the manner illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings and stabilized by rod [3. In that position they are compressed between the adjacent face of the vertical riser ll! of the framework, the compression element It and header or spacing elements it. The compression element it and the spacing elements I! are slidably supported upon and stabilized by the rods 52 and E3. The auxiliary support rod It extends through suitable openings therein. Each of these rods 52 and E3, in turn, is provided at its free end with handwheels i3, threaded thereto. Suitable sleeve members i9, telescoped over the rods I2 and i3 and extending through appropriate bushings 29 in the front vertical riser I l, are utilized to apply compressive force against the compression element is and in turn against the assembled plates !5 and spacing elements I7. By that arrangement it is possible to maintain the individually movable plates l5, spacing elements El and 001m pression element H5 in desired operative relation with respect to one another. In a conventional manner the left vertical riser iii, the compression member I6 and the spacing elements I! are provided with suitable connections, whereby the various heat exchange media may be introduced into the fiow spaces formed intermediate the supporting framework.

Each of the plates or plate-like elements I is provided with an opposed set of peripheral slots 20 and 2| along its vertical axis. A second set of peripheral slots 22 and 23 is arranged, so that a line passing through the second set of peripheral slots 22 and 23 intersects a line joining the first set of peripheral slots 20' and 2I. When the plates are in operative position, each of the slots of the second set of peripheral slots 22 and 23 is angularly disposed with respect to the vertical axis of the associated plate I5 or a vertical line passing through the stabilizing and auxiliary support rod I4 at the point of engagement between the rod I4 and the plate I5. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the slots 22 and 23 are also angularly disposed or inclined with respect to a plane passing through the support rod I2 and the auxiliary support and stabilizing rod I3. Each of the slots 22 and 23 are also so positioned with respect to the adjacent slot 20 or 2|, respectively, as to form a hook-like element 24, intermediate the adjacent slots. The hook-like element 24 is provided With a shank 25 and a head 26. The shank element 25 of the hook-like element '24 is of a width slightly less than the spacing between the auxiliary support and stabilizing shaft I3 and the stabilizing and auxiliary support shaft I4 spaced slightly therefrom. The head 26 of the hook-like element 24 is of a width appreciably in excess of the width of the shank 25 of the hook-like element 24.

By this construction, as is clearly illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings, the hook-like element 24 of each of the plates I5, when coacting with the stabilizing rod I3 and the plate restraining or stabilizing and auxiliary support rod I4, forms a disengageable hinge-like element or stabilizer for disengageably supporting the plates I5 when they have been disengaged from the primary support rod I2 or to stabilize the upper portion of an individual plate against excessive lateral tilting when the plate is supported for cleaning upon the lower rod I2 out of contact with the remaining plates. In this latter position the plate is stabilized against transverse motion by the engagement of the rods I2 and I3 in the slots 23 and 2I. In the preferred construction of the apparatus, the diameter of the substantially circular end of the slots 22 and 23 may be of a diameter of approximately of an inch to A of an inch, while the diameter of the stabilizing and auxiliary support rod or plate-restraining rod I4 may be of a diameter of approximately of an inch to 1 inch. These dimensions are given only as examples and are not intended as limitations. The configuration of the portion of the hook-like element 24 adjacent the auxiliary support and stabilizing rod I3 must be such as to permit the lateral swinging of the plate I5 when hingedly supported by the hook 24 in cooperation with the rods I3 and I4. The possible swinging motion of the plate I5 must be sufiicient to permit the disengagement of the hook-like element from the rod I4 after the contact between the hook-like element and the rod I3 has been lost. The clearance between the slots 20, 2I and 23 and the rods I2, I3 and I4 must be sufiicient to permit the easy lateral shifting of the plates when compression has been released to enable the ready spacing of the plates for cleaning.

To remove a plate I5 from the supporting framework of a plate type heat exchanger, as illustrated by the drawings, it is first necessary to suitably rotate the handwheels I8 to release the compression upon the compression element I6, and thereafter separate the plates I5 and spacing element I1 and compression element IS in a manner as clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, and to a degree sufficient to permit the hereinafter described plate removal operation. Having thus separated the plates I5 and spacing element I! a suflicient distance, a plate I5 is pivoted transversely with respect to the remaining assembly plates, in a manner as indicated by the arrow in Figure 3 of the drawings, until the slot 20 at the lower portion of the plate I5 is clear of the primary support rod I2. After the plate I5 has thus been cleared at its lower extremity from engagement with the support rod I2, it is then pivoted laterally with respect to the remaining assembled plates, as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. In this lateral pivoted position, the pivoted plate I5 is supported by the disengageable hinge formed by the coaction of the hook-like element 24 and the rods I3 and I4. If it is desired to clean or inspect the plate while in this position, this may then be done by a workman by stabilizing the plate in the laterally pivotedposition, as just described and as indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings.

To remove one or more plates from the supporting framework or press it is necessary only to pivot each of the plates I5 to be removed on its respective hook-like element 24 a suificient distance until the shank 25 and head 26 of the hook-like elements 24 have cleared the stabilizing rod I3, whereupon the hook-like elements 24 may then be completely disengaged from the auxiliary supporting rod or restraining rod I4 by moving the plate in such a fashion as to withdraw the rod I3 through the outer opening in the peripheral slot 23. To insert one or more plates I5 into the supporting press or frame, the reverse of the operation just given for the removal of a plate from the press is followed.

As will be apparent from the drawings, the proportioning of the slots 20 and 2I and the relative size of the supporting rods I2 and I3 are such that when the plates I5 are in operative position in the supporting framework or press of the plate type heat exchanger, each of the plates I5 rests entirely on the primary supporting rod I2, with the lower slot 20 overlapping the sides and top of the rod I2. The stabilizing and auxiliary support rod I3 is so engaged in the slot 2I as to suitably stabilize the plates I5 against transverse tilting and as to assure the registration of the associate gaskets 21 and corresponding embossed ridges 28 of the juxtaposed, relatively flat platelike elements I5 of the plate type heat exchanger.

The disengageable hinging and stabilizing of each of the plate-like elements I5 at corresponding ends of the plate-like elements I5 tothe stabilizing and auxiliary support rod I3 and auxiliary support and stabilizing rod I4 provides a construction, in which each of the plate-like elements of the plate type heat exchanger may be separately removed from the supporting framework or press without necessitating the removal of the remaining plate-like elements, spacing elements or compression element. Likewise, each of the disengageably hinged plate-like elements may be individually swung laterally with respect to the remaining plates to permit the ready inspection and cleaning of the separate plates. In similar manner, each of the plates [5, when plate compression has been released, may be separated from the remaining plates by sliding upon the support rod [2, whereupon it will sustain itself in stabilized position upon rod I2 without excessive lateral tilting or transverse tilting due to the engagement of the auxiliary support and stabilizing rods 53 and [4 in the slots 2| and 23.

It will be appreciated that in devices embodying the present invention the supporting rods may readily be arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane instead of being arranged in substantially the same vertical plane, as illustrated in the drawings of the preferred embodiment. Similarly, it will immediately be obvious to those skilled in the art that means other than rods as, for example, tubing, angle irons, bars, etc., may readily be substituted for the supporting rods referred to in the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, it is desired that this invention should not be limited to the specifically described verical arrangement of plate-like elements and supporting rod or member arrangement.

Having thus described the illustrated and preferred embodiment of this invention in a plate type apparatus, the invention is not to be restricted to the specifically illustrated embodiment thereof, as set forth in the drawings and as heretofore described, excepting insofar as necessary by the prior art disclosures and by the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A device of the type described comprising, in combination, a primary support means, a stabilizing means spaced from said primary support means, an auxiliary support means spaced from said stabilizing means and spaced from said primary support means, a plate-like element supported upon said primary support means and engaged for stabilization by said stabilizing means, and hanger means formed on said platelike element and extending intermediate said stabilizing means and said auxiliary support means, said hanger means including a shank-like element having a width substantially equal to the distance between said stabilizing means and said auxiliary support means and a head element having a width substantially in excess of the width of said shank-like element.

2. In a device of the class described comprising a primary support member, a stabilizing member spaced therefrom, and an auxiliary support member spaced laterally from said stabilizing member and having a plurality of plate-like elements engageable between said primary support member and said stabilizing member, a plate-like element having a hook-shaped portion to engage said auxiliary support member whereby said plate-like element may be suspended from said auxiliary support member by engagement therewith, said hook-shaped portion comprising a shank interposed between said stabilizing member and said auxiliary support member and being of slightly less width than the distance between said stabilizing member and said auxiliary support member and having a head of greater width than said shank.

3. In a device of the class described comprising a primary support member, a stabilizing member spaced therefrom, and an auxiliary support member spaced laterally from said stabilizing member and having a plurality of plate-like elements engageable between said primary support member and said stabilizing member, a plate-like element having a hook-shaped portion to engage said auxiliary support member whereby said plate-like element may be suspended from said auxiliary support member by engagement therewith, said hook-shaped portion comprisin a shank interposed between said stabilizing member and said auxiliary support member and being of slightly less width than the distance between said stabilizing member and said auxiliary support member and having a head of greater width than said shank, said plate-like element being provided with straight peripheral notches in its upper and lower edges for engagement with said stabilizing member and said primary support member, respectively, and having a substantially arcuate slot formed in the upper edge thereof, said slot and said straight peripheral notch in the upper edge of said plate-like element defining said hook-shaped portion therebetween.

4. In a device of the class described comprising a primary support member, a stabilizing member spaced therefrom, and an auxiliary support member spaced laterally from said stabilizing member and having a plurality of plate-like elements engageable between said primary support member and said stabilizing member, a plate-like element having a hook-shaped portion to engage said auxiliary support member whereby said plate-like element may be suspended from said auxiliary support member by engagement therewith, said hook-shaped portion comprising a shank interposed between said stabilizing member and said auxiliary support member and being of a slightly less width than the distance between said stabilizing member and said auxiliary support member and having a head of greater width than said shank, said plate-like element being provided with peripheral notches in its upper and lower edges for engagement with said stabilizing member and said primary support member, respectively, and having a substantially arcuate slot formed in the upper edge thereof, said slot and said peripheral notch in the upper edge of said plate-like element defining said hook-shaped portion therebetween, said primary support member and said stabilizing member engaging the respective notches and said auxiliary support member with sufficient clearance so that after one of said plate-like elements has been spaced from an adjacent plate-like element a sufficient distance, the first plate-like element can be swung out of its vertical plane until the lower notch clears the primary support member and can then be pivoted about said auxiliary support member out of engagement with the stabilizing member.

BENJAMIN G. NEWHALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,252,916 Crosby Aug, 19, 1941 2,428,880 Kintner Oct. 14, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 52,142 Denmark Sept. 14, 1936 2,675 Germany Mar. 5, 1878 653,877 Germany Dec. 4, 1937 413,811 Great Britain July 26, 1934 528,223 Great Britain Oct. 24, 1940 582,879 Great Britain Nov. 29, 1946 

